United States of Dramerica

We explore the world of soccer content creation and influencing over a whisky. Eli cracked open a McKenna and I went for a MacSchwarzenegger as we explore the world of US soccer and telling its story on social media. In a fascinating discussion we cover Eli’s obsession with football, online abuse and turning a hobby into a living. We talk MLS, LA Galaxy and his minority ownership of Orange County Soccer Club. He answers the ‘why should anyone care what you think’ question I’ve always wanted t...

Our 100th episode and it's a funny one. We talk to the fantastic acress, comedian, writer Sarah Colonna. She talks about performing in Starbucks, wearing socks in the shower in crap hotel rooms and performing in Moscow (the Idaho one). We reminisce about the California Angels, discuss watching baseball with her dad and how her and her Superbowl-winning husband were the original NFL/entertainment crossover power couple. Sarah is remarkably not jealous of influencer comedians, we discuss her lo...

We speak to New Mexico United President Ron Patel. The day before their US Open Cup quarter-final against LAFC, we talk the growth of soccer in the US, why so many fans have got behind his team and the time they thought a fan brought a gun into their Stadium. He explains the day in the life of a football club president, whether the US or England are more likely to win a World Cup and what you need to do to get a parade in Albuquerque. And why he wants to drink a whisky with the Ironman of Ind...

We chat to Scottish striker Marc McNulty. He talks about finding out about his Scotland debut from the TV, his adventures playing in Orange County and the pride of playing at Wembley. We also cover the excitement of playing in front of large crowds, fitting kitchens and getting kicked in the nuts against San Antonio. In a fun romp through his career, we talk highlights and lowlights, the travel, weather and pitch conditions in the US and the anxiety of transfer deadlines. And he tells u...

Over a gold rush and a whiskey sour, I talk to the Closet Files - a pair of high-flying personal stylists. We talk fashion, dressing men and styling women for work and leisure. They explain why clients need a stylist, going through people’s wardrobes and working with celebrities. We talk about authentic style, telling clients the truth and working with Mariska Hargitay and Alyssa Milano. And how to dress for divorce court…

The whisky podcast is back and we have the excellently-voices Benjamin Percy aboard. The comic book writer tells us, over a Lagavulin 16, which super heroes would drink, how comics helped him as a kid moving cities and why Marvel is so good. We talk nerds, Batman and how hard it is to write novels. While I drink Wolfburn, we cover the growth of comics, his career ambitions and how Endgame changes the industry. And his next novel, Sky Vault, releases in September of this year - https://ww...

We talk to hat-preneur and marketeer Alan Miller. We talk fashion hats, washing hats, hat designs and basically all things hat. Over an Alexander Murray, he talks about owning 100s of hats, all-mesh hats, corduroy hats, wool hats, numbered hats, baseball hats, who buys their hats and his favorite hats. He explains why he founded his hat company Official League, hat culture and whether he would wear a Yorkshire flat cap.

We talk rock music, whisky, crypto and the future of banking with the extraordinary Bob Schukai. The EVP of Open Banking at Mastercard tells us his about love of Orange County rockers Social Distortion, his fascination with technology and buying a coffee with Bitcoin. We talk about biometrics in banking, fraud and using your palm to pay. We also cover the future of money, the importance of privacy and the end of cash. And why he wants to share an Oban with MLK in Atlanta.

We speak to endurance athlete and motivational speaker Grant Lottering. He talks us through his near-death experience on an Italian mountaintop after a horrific bike crash, his road to recovery and his journey to inspire others. We discuss his charitable work, making the most of his second chance and his 72-hour non-stop ride across Southern California. Grant talks in great detail about the moment he nearly died, his faith and the ‘angelic’ visit from the Italian doctor who saved him. A...

I speak to whisky impresario Chris Uhde. He tells his story of failed rock star to whisky expert, why he fell in love with scotch and learning about whiskies from around the world. We talk scotch, rice whisky, as well as Belgian, Indian and Welsh drinks. Chris talks about collecting whisky, the enjoyment of sharing a dram with people and talks us through some of the best whisky he as tasted. He explains how he became - and remains the Los Angeles Voice of Whisky - and why he would want to sha...

We talk to Emily Cloke, British Consul General for Southern California, Utah, Arizona, Hawaii and Nevada. Over a glass of Balvenie, we talk diplomacy in a pandemic, remote working as a parent and diversity in the British Foreign Service. She tells us about the work of a diplomat in Los Angeles, the value of the creative industries and working with the Mayor on climate change. We take about the soft power value of sports, movies and whisky (and gin and tea!), what she hopes to achieve as the w...

In the first episode of 2022, we talk to wedding and event designer Charley King. She tells us about the extraordinary world of events in Los Angeles, working with elephants and llamas (including one that fell in a swimming pool!) and helping people create special moments with friends and families. She talks through the importance of making weddings personal to the couple, navigating the complicated world of cancellations in a pandemic and how masks designs have improved in the past two years...